9 Filling Low-Carb Recipes for Fall & Winter
October 4, 2020
I have my typical salad “formula”, stir-fry and sheet pan meal “formula”, and to-go lunch “formula” – but I’ve received a lot of requests for other types of hot meals!
As you probably know, I’m on the low-carb train. While carbohydrates are NOT BAD (no food is bad), I do think it’s really helpful, and that the research shows that it’s the most helpful, to manage your weight or lose weight by following a generally low-carb diet.
Here are some delicious, low-carb, sugar-free (mostly) and very easy-to-make hot meals that can work for a keto diet, or any other low-carb diet!
9 Filling Low-Carb Recipes for Fall & Winter
Low-Carb Chili
Makes 4 servings
Chili is definitely a comfort food and one of the best winter recipes, so it’s great it can be made low-carb! This recipe will show you how to cook it in a pot yourself, but what’s great about it is that it can even be made in a slow cooker, so if you have it and love using it, definitely make some low-carb chili!
INGREDIENTS
2 28oz cans diced tomatoes in tomato juice
1 lb 90% lean ground beef or turkey (or you can use grilled tofu if you prefer!)
4 cups baby carrots, chopped, or 2 cups baby carrots, chopped + 2 cups pre-diced mirepoix (you can make this yourself if you like – it’s just a mixture of celery, carrots, and onion!); I like to buy pre-diced mirepoix because, as you know, I’m ultra lazy and I value my time!
Chili seasoning, salt & pepper to taste
Top with 1/8 cup shredded cheese per portion
Oil spray
DIRECTIONS
Spray a Pan with an oil spray, and add mirepoix and protein (beef/ turkey); stir-fry for ~10 minutes (you’ll know when it’s done when it smells like heaven!)
Combine all ingredients in the Pot and cook on medium heat for about 15 minutes
Add seasonings to taste, top with cheese
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Pecans
Makes 2 servings as a meal by itself, or 4 servings as a side dish
INGREDIENTS
16 oz washed Brussels sprouts, sliced in half
7 strips of bacon, cooked, and crumbled or sliced into bits
1/3 cup roasted, salted pecans
An oil spray
Salt & pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400°F
Line cookie sheet with tin foil, spray tin foil with an oil spray (like olive oil spray)
Bake Brussels sprouts for 25 minutes
Add bacon & pecans, stir everything around. May need to spray with an oil spray if Brussels sprouts are looking very crispy
Bake for another 7-10 minutes to desired crispiness!
Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
Makes 4 servings
Perfect for any weeknight meal, this healthier and keto version of mac & cheese will definitely satisfy your comfort food cravings.
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
Bring 2 cups of 2% milk to boil
Add in 1 cup elbows, cook for 7 minutes
Add in 1 cup riced-cauliflower (I buy pre-riced to make it easy!), cook for add’l 3 minutes
There should be a little extra milk – that is GOOD!
Add in 1 cup of your choice of shredded cheese – I’m using cheddar here
Stir for an add’l 3 minutes, and you’re DONEZO!
Zucchini “Boats”
Makes 2 servings
This quick and easy keto recipe is amazing if you don’t want to spend a lot of time making lunch, but you still want to eat something delicious, since most of the cooking time for this recipe is in the oven (so you won’t be doing much yourself). The parts that you’ll be doing are really quick and easy, so it’s an amazing keto friendly meal idea to make for busy people.
INGREDIENTS
3 medium zucchinis, cut in half lengthwise and width-wise
1/2 pound 90% lean ground beef or turkey
Salt, pepper oregano, and grated Parmesan cheese to taste
14.5oz canned diced tomatoes
2/3 cup shredded cheese to top
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400°F
Using a small spoon, hollow out the centers of the zucchinis
In a pan, stir-fry ground turkey or beef until no longer pink; add in canned tomatoes and stir
Add mixture to hollowed-out zucchinis
Top with salt, pepper, and cheese
Bake for 30 minutes in a glass casserole dish or on a baking sheet (line baking sheet with tin foil)
Chicken & Vegetable Soup
One of the best chicken recipes for colder months is definitely chicken soup! It’s the definition of comfort food, it’s warm and cozy, and everyone loves it. So here’s an amazing keto friendly chicken & veggie soup recipe.
INGREDIENTS
2 pre-cooked chicken breasts, chopped
1 container low-sodium chicken broth
3 cups baby carrots, chopped, or 3 cups pre-diced mirepoix (you can make this yourself if you like – it’s just a mixture of celery, carrots, and onion!); I like to buy pre-diced mirepoix because, as you know, I’m ultra lazy and I value my time!
Oil spray
DIRECTIONS
Stir-fry carrots or mirepoix with an oil spray on medium heat for about 10 minutes
In a pot, add broth, chicken, and veggies, cook on medium heat for 15 minutes
